Western Lakes State Celebrated International Women’s Day

"...only when men can see women’s rights as their common objective can a route to change, that benefits everyone, will men begin to shift the balance".

12 March 2019

A related event banner. [Gurtong]

By Mabor Riak Magok

Rumbek, March 12, 2019 [Gurtong] - UN agencies, UNMISS, IRC, UNFPA and national non-governmental organization as well as civil society organizations, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare, joined the rest of the world in celebrating the International Women’s Day in Rumbek on Fri-day under the theme: “Think Equal. Build Smart Innovations for Change”.

Addressing the gathering in Rumbek Freedom Square during the occasion, Mary Mathon, representative of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), told the gathering that women’s recognition worldwide came through hard work struggle that some women underwent.

Mary Mathon called on women to get prepared and work side by side with men for improved living conditions in the country.

The State Minister for Gender and Social Welfare, John Thon, urged women in the country to be ambassadors of peace.

Doris Maholo Saydee, a UNMISS Gender Affairs officer, said that gender equality and women’s rights are fundamental to global progress on peace and security, human rights and sustainable development,

“We can only re-establish trust in institutions, build global solidarity and reap the benefits of diverse perspectives by challenging historic injustices and promoting the rights and dignity of all”, said Doris.

She said that gender equality, according to the United Nations, is fundamentally a question of power. They live in a male dominated world with a male dominated culture, saying that only when men can see women’s rights as their common objective can a route to change, that benefits everyone, will men begin to shift the balance.

The director for Gender Equality, Alewia Enock Machiek, urged the government of South Sudan to effectively implement the 35% of women representation across the country.

“We appreciate our president of the republic of South Sudan, General Salva Kiir Mayardit, for giving us 35 % representation. This is a great achievement and recognition of the women’s rights in South Sudan”, she said. “Without women role”, said Alewia, “there can be no development”.

The member of Legislative Assembly in Western Lakes State, Hon. Achol Kumthok, said that the 35% given to the women by the compromise peace agreement was the result of women hard work during the liberation struggle.

Hon. Achol Kumthok urged widows, women farmers, and those with their husbands to share 35% fairly and equitably during the upcoming government of national unity across the country.

The SPLM ruling party secretary for political organization in Western Lakes State, Mangar Matoc Machar, appreciated women’s role and their participation in the political struggles during the last 21 years.

He said that the ruling SPLM Party in Western Lakes State will ensure that 35 % of women representation in all organs of government in the state is implemented.

The Women International Day was attended by representatives from Cuaam Doctors with Africa ,SAFERWORLD, as well as by Oxfam.